Information/Write-up
An excellent double-sided surf instrumental single which entered the Top 40 charts on Feb. 15, 1965 at #28, on radio station CFAC in Calgary, Alberta. Green Surf, a surf arrangement of 'Greensleeves', is the side that got airplay. It Hit #22 at CFAC Calgary, #7 CHEC Lethbridge, and #40 at both CHEX Peterborough and CKSW Swift Current in the spring of '65.
The S’quires were a trailblazing rock band from Calgary, Alberta, and a key force in the city’s burgeoning music scene of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Originally formed in 1958 as The Esquires, the group emerged at a time when rock ’n’ roll was just beginning to find a foothold in Western Canada. Drummer Greg Thomas, guitarist Nes Davison, bassist Alf Cook, guitarist Mark Hornby, and guitarist Roy Wilcox formed the original lineup, united by a shared passion for instrumental rock and the raw energy of early rock music.
The Esquires made their recording debut in 1962 with the instrumental single “Melody of the Woods” b/w “Electrocution” on Toronto-based Barry Records (B-3125X). The single received local airplay and helped establish the band’s reputation as a standout act in Calgary’s modest but growing music scene, performing regularly at community halls, sock hops, and school dances.
However, when the band’s success began to grow, so did legal complications. After a lawsuit from Capitol Records over the use of the name “Esquires” — already claimed by a well-known Ottawa band — the Calgary group rebranded themselves as The S’Quires to avoid further conflict. Under this new name, they released two more singles on Barry Records: “Day Dreams” b/w “Green Surf” (3312X) and “Remember” b/w “Reach for a Star” (3398X). These recordings showcased their evolving sound, blending instrumental rock with vocal numbers, and featured the addition of Johnny Harlow as lead vocalist and organist in 1966.
Known for their sharp performances and mod-inspired style, The S’Quires became a fixture on the local live circuit and even landed a spot as the house band for a televised music program hosted by DJ Don Wood on Calgary’s CFCN, further expanding their influence and visibility.
As the 1960s progressed, members of the band eventually pursued different paths. Mark Hornby became a school teacher, while Greg Thomas transitioned from performing to promoting, becoming a major figure in Calgary’s live music scene as a booking agent and manager.
Though The S’Quires never broke nationally, their contribution to Calgary’s early rock legacy is undeniable. They helped lay the groundwork for the city’s future music scene and remain a beloved part of its history, remembered for their catchy singles, dedication to craft, and pioneering spirit in a time when rock ’n’ roll was still finding its place on the Canadian prairies.
-Robert Williston
Mark Hornby: guitar
Alfred “Al” Cook: bass
Nes Davison: guitar
Roy Wilcox: rhythm guitar, bass
Greg Thomas: drums
Johnny Harlow: vocals (1966)
Written by Greg Thomas, Nes Davison, Alfred “Al” Cook, and Mark Hornby
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